Wings of Fate

47. Rebirth

    Moira gripped Kalian's hand tightly as they waited for the King to speak. Judging by the look on Kalian's face, Moira thought he already knew what was about to be discussed. She might be able to guess as well. Queen Iyan's hazel eyes were fixed on Kalian's shoulder, and Moira knew she was noting his missing wings.

    "How did it happen?" King Arius asked, his low voice surprisingly quiet.

    Kalian's throat bobbed. "I don't see how it's relevant, Sire. What's done is done, and there's no reversing it."

    "No Faerie has ever survived something like this," a white haired female said. Moira guessed she was Esen, Gabriel's unidentical twin who Kalian had mentioned. "You might be able to for a few months, but sooner or later, the loss will catch up with you and nothing anyone says or does will change what happens next."

    "I failed to take my own life once. I imagine I could do so again." Moira clenched her jaw at the thought.

    "You won't, Kal," Gabriel murmured. "This time, you won't."

    "What's the point in discussing this?" Kalian snapped. "If it's bound to happen, it will. My wings are already gone. I'll just have to make use of the time I have left."

    It was becoming a struggle to keep her own features blank. Moira swallowed the growing lump in her throat. She had just found Kalian. She couldn't stand the thought of losing him again in only a matter of months. "Just because no Faerie has survived it before, doesn't mean Kalian won't now," Moira found herself saying.

    King Arius shook his dark head. "You don't understand. Cutting off a Faerie's wings is like removing a Human's heart. We can't survive without them."

    "Then we'll find a way to restore them."

    "Moira," Kalian said gently, "it's not possible. Faeries have tried for thousands of years."

    "Maybe they just haven't tried the right thing," she protested. Moira glanced at Queen Iyan, then her sister. "The two of you were once Human, weren't you? How do you have wings now?" Queen Iyan and Asena looked at one another, their brows knit.

    "Halfblood Faeries are different from Faeries," King Arius explained. "They are made, not born."

    "How were they made? Surely we can do the same for Kalian."

    "It doesn't work like that."

    "Actually," Sybella cut in, "it might." Everyone turned to look at her. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "The binding ritual produces powerful magic capable of healing fatal wounds, breaking any type of spell, and turning the bonded Human into a Halfblood Faerie. In theory, the magic might be able to give a Faerie wings, but that's not a guarantee."

    Kalian stared at his boots, a mixture of hope and resignation at war in his eyes. "Maybe you should try it," Moira urged. Kalian shook his head. "Why not?"

    "Give me a minute," he whispered, and hurried out the door. Moira followed without hesitation.

    Kalian paused a few feet down the hall and hid his face in his hands. "Why won't you at least try?" Moira asked. "This is a chance to get your wings back."

    "We don't know that it will work."

    "What's the harm in trying?"

    "The binding ritual can only be completed between a Human and a Faerie." Kalian still didn't look at her.

    "I'll do it. I'll be bound to you. It will be fine."

    Kalian rounded on her, taking her by the shoulders. "Do you understand what this entails, Moira? You will become a Halfblood Faerie. You won't be Human anymore. This ritual can't be undone, and it's usually only performed under dire circumstances. Queen Iyan and Asena were both dying when they became Halfblood Faeries. I'm not going to risk killing you or turning you into a Faerie on the off chance that maybe I'll get my wings back."